‘Pokemon: The First Movie’ Is Headed Back to Theaters

Ah, the Pokémon franchise. It seems like only yesterday that millions of people were wandering the streets of their hometowns, eyes locked to their smartphone screens as they flung Pokeballs at imaginary creatures hovering over local businesses. The Pokémon Go craze, with its innovative use of technology and beloved cartoon characters, brought the popular animated series back into the public spotlight. And with news that Legendary Pictures would shoot a new live-actionPokémon movie in 2017, it was only a matter of time before some of the original films found their way back into theaters.

Now one has. Last week, the official Pokémon website announced (via IGN) that they would be bringing 1999’s Pokémon: The First Movie and the accompanying short film Pikachu’s Vacation back to theaters for two nights in October and November. The film will appear in over 200 select Cinemark locations as a matinee on October 29 and as an evening show on November 1. Presale tickets are available now for only five dollars per screening.

The original Pokémon movie was quite the hit at the box office, earning more than $160 million dollars worldwide against only a $30 million dollar budget. And while critics were considerably less impressed by the cartoon violence and simplistic message of the film, Pokémon: The First Movie would be the perfect trip down memory lane for a lifelong Pokémon fan or a brand new Pokémon fan who recently discovered the franchise through the mobile game. Music fans can also relive the ’90s through the oh-so period soundtrack selections, including brand new songs written by Christina Aguilera and Vitamin C. There’s something for everyone where Pokémon are involved.